of them that they felt little or no pain Baynam one of our English Martyrs in the midst of flames with arms and legs half consumed uttered these words O ye Papists behold ye look for miracles here now ye may see a miracle for in this fire I feel no more pain then if I were in a Bed of Down but it is to me as a Bed of Roses Dir. 17. Get a meek and a quiet spirit This is in the sight of God an ornament of great price 1 Pet. 3. 4. But a froward heart is an abomination to God Prov. 11. 20. Moses had this commendation that he was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth Numb 12. 3. God takes his part and appears for him Num. 12. 2 4. Moses is deaf and dumb but God hears and calls suddenly about the wrong done to Moses And what a good end did God make with patient Job Jam. 5. 11. Dir. 18. Be zealous hot fervent in spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12. 11. God cannot away with lukewarmness luke-warm Laodicea he loaths Rev. 3. 16. but zealous Phineas he loves Num. 25. 11 12 13. Psal. 106. 30. Be fervent in prayer swift to hear strict in the observation of the Sabbath be strong in faith weep bitterly for sin This heat in duty will please God Do justly This pleases God Mic. 6. 8. more then thousands of Rams To do judgment and justice to judge the cause of the poor and needy is the way to have it be well with us Jer. 22. 15 16. The just and rtghteous God hates injustice Zech. 8. 17. Doing justice and judgment is the way of the Lord Gen. 18. 19. And sure he is well pleased with those that walk in his way Dir. 20. Love mercy This also pleases God To do good and communicate forget not for with such sacrifice God is well pleased Heb. 13. 16. 'T is an odour of a sweet smell a sacrifice acceptable well pleasing to God Phil. 4. 18. Christ is so well pleased with it that he takes it as done to himself Mat. 25. 34 35 36. And the contrary shewing no mercy he takes so ill that he threatens Jam. 2. 13. He shall have judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy Dir. 21. Walk humbly To such an one God will look Isa. 66. 2. yea God will dwell with the humble and revive the humble Isa. 57. 15. God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble Jam. 4. 6. And if he give them grace sure he will give them glory Dir. 22. Be fruitful in every good work This pleases God The earth that brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed receiveth blessing from God Heb. 6. 7. I am come into my Garden my Sister my Spouse Now there is such pleasant fruit there I cannot keep away He is so well pleased with the fruit he finds that he gathers eats and drinks Cant. 5. 1. A fruitful Vine pleaseth the Dresser A fruitful Tree the Planter A fruitful Field the Husbandman And a fruitful Christian pleaseth God much more Dir. 23. Be thankful This pleaseth the Lord Psal. 69. 30 31. I will praise the name of the Lord with a song and will magnifie him with thanksgiving v. 30. This also shall please the Lord better then an Oxe or Bullock that hath horns and hoofs v. 31. This rendring the Calves of our lips Hos. 14. 2. is very pleasing to God when offered up by Christ. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name Heb. 13. 15. He that offereth praise glorifieth me saies God Psal 50. Alwaies provided that the praise be cordial and real as well as oral provided that there be estimation of benefits and retribution for them as well as recognition of them And now beloved I must take my leave of you and what more or better can I wish or desire for you then this gracious presence of God The Lord be with you all The Lord be with you little children and incline your hearts to learn Solomons lesson which his father taught him 1 Chron. 28. 9. viz. To know the God of your Fathers and to serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts if you seek him he will be found of you but if you forsake him he will cast you off for ever and for this end The Lord be with you and incline your hearts whilst you are Children to know as Timothy did from a Child the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3. 15. and perswade you to continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of knowing of whom you have learned them 2 Tim. 3. 14. The Lord be with you young men and incline your hearts to remember your Creatour in the dayes of your youth as you are commanded Eccles. 12. 1. and to be kind to him in your youth Jer. 2. 2. that he may another day say to you I remember the kindness of your youth The Lord be with you to be the guide of your youth Jer. 3. 4. and to teach you from your youth as he did David Psal. 71. 17. The Lord be with you that you may with Obadiah fear the Lord from your youth 1 King 18. 12. and that you may flee youthful lusts as you are commanded 2 Tim. 2. 22. The Lord be with you and be your hope and trust from your youth as he was Davids Psal. 71. 5. and make you sober minded as you are exhorted to be Tit. 2. 6. The Lord be with you and cause you to grow up as plants in your youth Psal. 144. 12. That you may never complain as Job chap. 13. 26. Thou hast made me possess the sins of my youth And that you may not be forced to pray as David Remember not against me the sins of my youth Psal. 25. 7. nor lie down in shame because of the sins of your youth as they Jer. 3. 25. and that in your age you may not find your bones full of the sins of your youth Job 20. 11. The Lord be with you Aged men to make you sober grave temperate to make you sound in the faith sound in charity in patience as you are taught to be Tit. 2. 2. The Lord be with you young women to make you such as you are taught to be Tit. 2. 4. viz. Sober and to love your Husbands and your children and to be discreet chaste keepers at home good obedient to your own Husbands that the word of God be not blasphemed and that your Husbands beholding your chaste conversation coupled with fear may be won by it 1 Pet. 3. 1 2. The Lord be with you and deliver you from all unchaste thoughts words and actions and make you careful to
immoderate in their desires after riches thirsting like the horsleech Ever crying give give Prov. 30. 15. And in their Joy and Grief also In their Joy in the enjoying of them as He Luke 12. 19. In their Grief in parting with them as that young man Matth. 19. 21 22. But I beseech you c. be not conformed to these 9. Hard men reaping where they have not sown and gathering where they have not strawed Matth. 25. 24. But I beseech you c. be not conformable to these 10. Joyn house to house Isa. 5. 8. 11. Keep bad company to get gain Prov. 1. 14 15 16. contrary to the counsel of the Holy Ghost here and Prov. 4. 14 15. Some plead they shall have no Trade unless they do so But I beseech you c. be not conformable to these 12. Lade themselves with thick clay or mire burden pollute and entangle themselves in taking raking and ransaking for riches Habak 2. 6. Some lade their Carts so much that they either stick or break all But I beseech you c. be not you conformed 13. Make Gold their hope Job 31. 24. Their strong City Prov. 10. 15. Trusting in their abundance Psalm 52. 7. Contrary to the charge 1 Tim. 6. 17. and to their ruine Prov. 11. 28. Therefore I beseech you c. 14. Mind earthly things Phil. 3. 19. Heavenly things are not in all their thoughts But I beseech you c. be not conformable c. 15. Never are satisfied Though he have neither Child nor Brother c. Yet there is no end of his labour nor is his eye satisfied with riches Eccles. 4. 8. But I beseech you c. be not conformed c. 16. Over reach go beyond and defraud one another in dealing and barganing this is prohibited 1 Thes. 4. 6. Therefore I beseech you c. be not conformed to these 17. Plead Poverty deb s and family expences when any thing is desired or required for a pious charitable or righteous use though there be enough for pleasure and pride But I c. be not conformable c. 18. Are Querulous complainers Jud. 16. never content with their condition with what they have contrary to the charge given us Heb. 13. 5. But I beseech you c. be not conformable c. 19. Run greedily after the error of Baalam for reward Jud. 11. Adulterating or corrupting the doctrine of Truth for filthy lucre unlike to Paul 2 Cor. 2. 17. But I c. be not conformable c. 20. Speak mostly of the world 1 Joh. 4. 5. And of the earth Joh. 3. 31. whose language is who will shew us any good Psal. 4. 6. Who will shew us how we may get goods and riches But I beseech c. be not conformable c. 21. Serve Mammon Matth. 6. 24. But I c. be not c. 22. Study gain more then godliness being godly only for the sake of gain 1 Tim. 6. 5. But I c. be not c. 23. Turn aside after lucre 1 Sam. 8. 3. Contrary to the charge Deut. 16. 19. Take away the right from the poor Isa. 10. 1 2. But I beseech c. be not you c. 24. Venture the salvation of their Souls for this present world as Demas did 2 Tim. 4. 10. But I c. be not c. 25. Wish the Sabbath over that they may be getting something of the world Amos 8. 4 5 6. But I c. be not c. 26. Will be rich 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. though they fall into c. But I c. be not c. Diswasives from conformity to this Covetous world 1. They that do and are covetous like the world are hated abhorred of God Psal. 10. 3. 2. Sorely threatned Isa. 5. 8. Isa. 10. 1. 2. Job 20. 15 19 20. 27. 16 17 18. 3. The word will do you no good whiles such Matth. 13. 22. Ezek. 33. 31. Mark 4 18 19. 4. You are in Gods account Idolater Col. 3. 5. Eph. 5. 5. 5. You will be troublers of your house Prov. 15. 27. 6. No sin will be strained at if you give way to be covetous for covetousness is the root of all evil 1 Tim. 6. 10. Thou maist be a Judas Matth. 26. 15. Aâ— Ananias Act. 5. 2. 7. Thy heart is in danger to be hardned covetous men seldom repent Jer. 2. 31. 1 Thes. 2. 5. 8. Saints must have no fellowship with you 1 Cor. 5. 11. 9. You must not go to heaven 1 Cor. 6. 10. Thirdly Conform not to this Proud world Corrupt and sinful man is a proud Creature Proud all over Proud First In speech Psal. 12. 4. Speaking proudly 1. Against God Daen. 7. 25. Rev. 13. 6. and with Pharaoh saying who is the Lord 2. Against his People Psal. 31. 18. Speaking grievous things proudly against them Secondly In heart Psal. 101. 5. Isa. 9. 9. Prov. 21. 4. stout stiff unyielding These are abomination to the Lord Prov. 16. 5. Thirdly In spirit high minded Eccl. 7. 8. Fourthly In look Prov. 16. 17. 21. 4. Fifthly In gesture Isa. 3. 16. Sixthly In deed Psal. 31. 23. Exod. 18. 11. Be not conformed to the world herein This Dehortation is not without need to you Professors The Best have been and are prone to it 1. Josephs Brethren Gen. 37. 8. 2. Aaron and Miriam Num. 12. 1 2 3. David 2 Sam. 24. 1 2 4. 4. Uzzia 2 Chron. 26. 16 19. 5. Hezekiab 2 Chron. 32. 25. 6. The Apostles of Christ Mark 9. 34. There are that Affect high places uppermost rooms in thâ— Synagogues Matth. 23. 6. Christs own Disciples were contending about this Matth. 18. 1. 20. 21 22. Luke 22. 24 25 26. Contrary to the charge Gal. 5. 26. But I beseech you that Profess religion by the mercies of God be not conformed to these Boâ—st themselves Isa. 37. 12 13. 10. 8 to 12. Psal. 10. 3. Amos 6. 13. Dan. 4. 30. Luke 12. 18 19. Contrary to Prov. 27. 1 2. Some Boast of their Will the Arminianâ— Some of their Reason the Socinians Some of their Revelations the Anabaptists Some of Perfection and Sufferings the Quakers Some of Traditions and Miracles the Papists Some of Gifts and Priviledges Rom. 2. 17 c. Joh. 8. 33 41. But I beseech you c. Build with hewen stone when c. Isa. 9. 9 10. q. d. That are so far from Repenting when corrected that they harden their hearts more and more So Mal. 1. 4. But I beseech you c. Covet to be seen of men in what they do Matth. 23. 5. Contrary to Matth. 6. 1 2 3 5. But I beseech you c. Displeased with the Praise of others Matth. 21. 15. Despise others Luke 18. 9. But I beseech you c. Establish their own Righteousness Rom. 10. 3. Luke 18. 9. But I beseech you c. Fortifie themselves in the Rocks c. Obad. 3. 4. Flatter themselves with outward advantages and accommodations But I beseech
Psal. 7. 12. 50. 21 22. 68. 21. Reason Gods Honour Holiness Justice and Truth requires it 1. Gods Honour If God spare such it will be thought that he favours them Psalm 50. 21. Mat. 2. 17. 2. His Holiness Habak 1. 13. 3. His Justice Zeph. 3. 5. Psal. 11 ult Justice must render to every one according to c. 4. His Truth See Jer. 4. 28. Use 1. Sad then is the case of such as will not be purged from their filthiness Is it not sad when God will cause his fury to rest upon them when he is so resolved as you see v. 14. This People in the Text might think and so possibly may you God would not be so severe as the Prophet had told them They might say or think Jeremiah this is but your saying and you may speak it out of Humor and Discontent Nay sayes God I the Lord have spoken it I Jehovah who can and will give being and life to my threats to what I have spoken They might say but saying and doing are two things It may never come to pass though God has spoken it Nay sayes God it shall come to pass as certainly as I have spoken it They might say you threaten us with Nebuchadnezar but Nebuchadnezar and his Forces are but men and may fail and never be able to perform their enterprize But sayes God I will do it and I am not Man but God They might say but sure God will not lay waste Hierusalem his own City where his Temple and Worship is To this God answers True But thy scum is in thee and thy filthiness and in thy filthiness is lewdness obstinacy therefore I will not go back from my word of threatening Thou doest not retract and therefore I will not Thou hast gone backward Jer. 15. 6 therefore I will not go back See also Jer 4. 28. They might say but God is pittiful and his compassions fail not But sayes God I will not pitty nâ— spare nor have mercy Jer. 13. 14. They might say but God will repent of the evil threatned according to Jer. 18 8. Ezek. 20. 8. 9 13 14 17 22. No sayes God neither will I repenâ— you repent not therefore I will not repent See Jer. 15. 6. They might say then surely God will deal hardly with us No sayes God I deal justly according to thy wayes I will judge thee What then is there no avoiding of this fury No They shall not be able to escape Jer. 11. 11. Evil shall hunt you Psal. 140. 11. And find you out Numb 32. 23. As the blood hound the Thief as sure as he sets his foot on the ground Nor no resisting No Can stubble resist fire Why then I hope I shall be able to bear it No It will be intollerable Ezek. 22. 14. Can thy heart endure No. Why then I hope it will have an end No neither if you dye in your filthiness it shall rest upon you 'T will be everlasting fire and burning Isa. 33. 14. Why then I hope if it will have no end it will be long before it have a beginning No It may have a beginning before you are aware 'T is to be feared that your iniquities are near full and ripe for we are come to that pass now 1. That I think we are shameless in sinning and if so see Jer. 3. 3. 6. 15. 2. Graceless in Profession and Luke-warm in Religion and if so see 2 Tim. 3. 1 to 6. Rev. 3. 15 16. 2. 4 5. Amos 8. 5 11 12. 3. Regardless of Christ nay abusive of Christs Gospel and Ministers and if so see Matth. 21. 35 36 38 41. Luke 13. 34 35. 2 Chron. 36. 16. 1 King 18. 4. with 19. 14. 2 Chron. 11. 14. 4. Fruitless under the means of grace and if so see Matth. 21. 43. Luke 13. 6 to 10. Act. 13. 45 46. Isa. 5. begin Heb. 6. 6. 5. Incorrigible under the rod and if so see Isa. 9. 13 14. Amos 4. 6 8 9 10 11 12. 6. Fearless of punishment as they Jer. 17. 15. that said Where is the word of the Lord let it come now And as they that said Isa. 5. 19. Let him make speed and hasten his work that we may see it and let the counsel of the holy One of Israel draw nigh and come that we may know it And this is but according to what was foretold by our Saviour Luke 17. 26 27. And as it was in the dayes of Noe so shall it be also in the dayes of the Son of man They did eat they drank they married wives c. till the flood came And by St. Peter 2 Pet. 3. 3. There shall come in the last dayes scoffers walking after their own lusts and sure they are come Saying Where is the promise of his coming Things continue as they were But when we put far away the evil day Amos 6. 3. and say peace and safety Then sudden destruction cometh as Travel upon a woman with child and we shall not escape 1 Thes. 5. 3. God will punish the men that are setled upon the Lees That say in their Hearts The Lord will not do good neither will he do evil Zeph. 1. 12. God grant our goods may not become a booty God grant our houses may not become a desolation God grant that they who have built houses may inhabit them and that they who have planted viâ—eyards may drink the wine thereof But sure if in our filthiness there shall be lewdness if we shall continue unpurged notwithstanding all the means used for our purging The great day of the Lord is near it is near and hasteth greatly even the voyce of the day of the Lord the mighty man shall cry there bitterly That day is a day of wrath a day of trouble and distress a day of wasteness and desolation a day of darkness and gloominess a day of clouds and thick darkness A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced Cities and against the high Towers God will bring distress upon men that they shall walk like blind men because they have sinned against the Lord and their blood shall be poured out as the dust and their flesh as the dung Neither their Silve nor their Gold shall be able to deliver them is the day of Gods wrath but the whole La 〈…〉 shall be devoured by the fire of his jealous 〈…〉 for he shall make even a speedy riddance of a 〈…〉 them that dwell in the Land Zeph. 1. 13 14 15 16 17 18. This is the rejoycing City that dwelt carelesly that said in her heart I am a 〈…〉 there is none beside me how is she become 〈◊〉 desolation a place for beasts to lye down in 〈…〉 every one that passeth by her shall hiss anâ— wag the hand Zeph. 2. 15. This is spoken of Nineveh ver 13. And if we sin as Nineveh did may not we expect to suffer as she suffered Yet I fear we have many that say as Babilon I
thee rest 4. To provide for them to observe what they want and to provide it if they want food or water to provide it or if they want Rayment to provide it As the Father is with his Children and as the Nurse is with the Infant so the Lord is with his people The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want Psal. 23. 1. He hath pasture enough for his Sheep He makes them lye down in green Pasturâ—s he leads them by the still waters yea though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death saith David Psal. 23. I will not fear for thou art with me Sirs who layes the Cloth who spreads the Table who sends in provision Thou preparest a Table before me Psal. 23. 6. God provides and if their be none else to do it he can command Ravens to do it See 1 Kings 14. 4 6. If provision cannot be had in an Ordinary he will send it in an extraordinary way He clave the Rock in the Wilderness and gave them drink as out of the great Depths Psal. 78. 15. He commanded the Clouds of the wind and gave them bread and flesh also Psal. 78. 23 24 26 27. So that they lacked nothing Deut. 2. 7. 5. God is with his people to preserve them from Trouble if it be best But it may be better to be in Trouble then out of it A Prison may be better then a Pallace Restraint may be better then Liberty Sickness better then Health and Poverty better then Plenty Prosperity may sâ—ay Pro. 1. 32. Adversity may profit Heb. 12. 10. And preserve The Lord is with us to deliver from trouble if it be best to be preserved from it The Lord is in the midst of his people Psal. 46. 5. therefore they shall not be moved Surely there is no inchantment against Jacob there is no Divination against Israel Num. 23. 23. I am with thee sayes God to Paul and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee Act. 18. 10. As birds flying so will the Lord of Hosts defend Jerusalem defending also he will deliver it and passing over he will preserve it Isa. 41. 5. What shall we say to these things If God be for us who can be against us Rom. 8. 31. If evil be coming he prevents it Gâ—deon thought if God had been with them evil could have not befallen them O my Lord saith he If the Lord be with us why is all this be fallen us Judg. 6. 13. VVe live in the midst of dangers in the midst of Snares in every place evil attends us It s a wonder that we are preserved If God were not with us how much evil would dayly befal us 6. God is with his people to save from harm in trouble if it come to save from burning in the Fire and from drowning in the Water Isa. 43. 2. Remember Daniel saved from hurt in the Lions Den and the Three Princes saved from hurt in the Fiery-Furnace and Jonah from hurt in the Whales Belly because God was with them 7. God is with his people to disappoint enemies when they Associate themselves and take counsel together laying their Heads together and laying their Counsels deep that none may see them yet then God is with his people to blast the plots of their enemies Isa. 8. 10. Associate your selves and ye shall be broken in pieces take counsel together and it shall come to nought speak the word and it shall not stand for God is with us 8. God is with his people to overthrowtheir enemies when they pursue them and will not be stopt when they take up Pharaoh-like Resolutions Exod. 15. 9. The enemy said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw my Sword and my hand shall destroy them Here was Resolution enough But pray mark what follows v. 10. Thou didst blow with thy wind the Sea covered them they sank as lead in the mighty Waters Thus the Lord overthrew them Exod. 14. 27. I will be with thee said God to Gideon Judg. 6. 16. And thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man So God tells David 2 Sam. 7. 9. I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest and have cut off all thy enemies out of thy sight What a promise is that Isa. 59. 26. I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh and they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet Wine and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am with theâ— thy Saviour and thy Redeemer the mighty one of Jacob. 9 The Lord is with his people to deliver them out of trouble in due time Thus God was with Jeremie when he sent him and enemies threatned him I will be with thee saith the Lord to deliver thee Jer. 15. 20. We are troubled on every side saith the Apostle but not distressed perplexed but not in despair Persecuted but not for saken No God was with them 2 Cor. 4. 8 9. God was with Joseph and delivered him out of all his Afflictions Act. 7. 9. 10. according to that promise Psal. 91. 15. I will be with him in trouble and deliver him 10. God is with his people to assist and strengthen them in their work Act. 10. 38. It is said our Lord Jesus Christ went about doing good the Lord being with him Fear not saith the Lord Isa. 41. 10. for I am with thee I will strengthen thee yea I will keep thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my Righteousness Again v. 13. I will help thee and again v. 14. I will help thee 11. The Lord is with his people to comfort them Thy Râ—d and thy Staff they comfort me Gods Rod like Aarons blossometh and like Jonathans hath honey at the end of it Psal. 43. 4. In all our Tribulation God is present to comfort uâ— 2 Cor. 1. 4. O for faith to believe it 12. To Animate and hearten them against fears Fear not for I am with thee Isa. 41. 10. Fear not when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee Isa. 43. 1 2. Be strong and of good courage said God to Joshua for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest Josh. 1. 9. Be strong O Zerubbabel saith the Lord and be strong O Joshua and be strong all ye people saith the Lord and work for I am with you the Lord of Hosts Hag. 2. 4. Joshua and Caleb to hearten and encourage the people Num. 14. 9. to go up against their enemies thus bespeaks them The Lord is with us fear them not So Moses tells the same people If thou shalt say in thy heart these Nations are more then I how can I dispossess them Deut. 7. 17. Thou shalt not be affrighted at them saith he v. 21. For the Lord thy God is among you a mighty God and terrible And again Deut. 20. 1. When thou goest out to Battel against thine enemies and seest Horses and Chariots
and a People more then thou be not affraid of them for the Lord thy God is with thee which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt Once more Moses encourageth the people and Joshua Deut. 31. 6 8. The Lord he it is that doth go before thee he will be with thee he will not fail thee nor for sake thee fear not neither be dismayed 13. God is with his people sometimes to make them greater and greater as he was with David 1 Chron. 11. 9. So David waxed greater and greater for the Lord of Hosts was with him But what if we wax not greater and greater in the World if we wax greater and greater in Goodness in knowledge faith and other graces will it not be much better and this we shall do if God be with us 14. God is with his people to Correct them But you will say perhaps Is it a priviledge to be corrected A greater priviledge it may be then all the rest Sirs such is our State here that we need correction We are Sanctified but in part We have Dross and Dirt and Rust and Filth in and about us God knoweth If you had no Dross you would need no Fire If you had no Dirt you would need no washing If no Rust you would need no File and if no Chaff you would need no Flail If no Folly you would need no Rod. But seeing you have Dross Dirt Rust and Chaff not a little Is it not best for the Gold to be refined and best for the Dirt and Filth to be washed out and for the Chaff to be fann'd away and for the Rust to be scoured off And if so is iâ— not a priviledge to be Corrected Correction is our melting washing fanning â—iling If the Child offend in the Fathers â—bsence he scapes a scouring but if the Father be at home he will not think to scape so If we offend and be faulty God is with us to Correct us And he will correct yet as a Father in measure He will stay his rough Wind in the day of his East Wind. Isa. 27. 8. Fear thou not O Jacob my servant saith the Lord for I am with thee I will not make a full end of thee as of others but correct thee in measure yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished Jer. 46. 28. and 30. 11. David blessed God for his Correction Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy word Psal. 119. 67. and v. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes and v. 75. I know O Lord that thy Judgements are righâ— and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me 15. God is with his people to encline their hearts to himself to walk in his wayes 1 King 8. 57 58. The Lord our God is with us let him not leave us nor forsake us that we may encline our hearts unto him to walk in all his wayes and to keep his commandments 16. To enable them to finish work begun The Lord God even my God will be with thee said David to his Son Solomon he will not fail thee nor forsake thee unâ—il thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. 1 Chron. 28. 20. 17. To give wisdom and understanding David prayes The Lord be with thee my Son and give wisdom and understanding 1 Chron. 22. 11 12. and to give him a wise behaviour David behaved himself wisely in all his wayes and the Lord was with him 1 Sam. 18. 14. 18. God is with his people to effect difficult undertakings Moses thought that going to Pharaoh and bringing the Children of Israel out of Egypt was a work too great and difficult for him and therefore desired to be excused saying who am I that I should take such a work in hand Exod. 3. 11. I am not eloquent I am of slow speech and of a slow tongue Exod. 4. 10. T is no matter for that saith God go and I will be with thy mouth and I will teach â—hee what thou shalt say Exod. 4. 12. Certainly I will be with thee Exod. 3. 12. And thou shalt bring them out of Egypt And Joshua should bring them into Canaan as hard a work as it was for God will be with him Deut. 31. 23. 19. To hold them I am continually with thee thou hast holden me by thy right hand Psal. 73. 23. thou hast holden me fast so Ainsworth and kept me from falling so Isa. 41. 10. I am with thee I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness God is with us to hold us by our right hand with his right hand this is a great priviledge seeing God is greater then all and none is able to pluck them out of his hand Joh. 10. 29. He is with us to keep us by his Power through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1. 5. 20. God is with his people to separate them and others Exod. 33. 16. To make a difference between them that serve him and them that serve him not Mal. 3. 18. and 4. 1. 2 3. See an instance Dan. 3. 22 23. In those that were cast into the fiery Furnace and those that cast them in See also to this purpose Exod. 11. 7. 10. 23. 9. 26. 8. 22. 23. When some are seperated to evil Deut. 29. 21. God is with his people to separate them unto good 3. I come now to the third General to shew that this priviledge of Gods gracious presence is much to be desired and prayed for Paul desired it for these Thessalonians 2 Thes. 3. 16 And for Timothy 2 Tim. 4. 22. Moses desired it for himself and the people Exod. 13. 15. 34. 9. If I have found grace in thy sight O Lord let my Lord I pray thee go amongst us So did Jabez 2 Chron. 4. 10. Jabez called on God saying Oh that thou wouldst bless me and that thine hand might be with me David also desired it for Solomon 1 Chron. 22. 11 16. My Son the Lord be with thee v. 11. Arise and be doing and the Lord be with thee v. 16. Jonathan also prayes thus for David The Lord be with thee 1 Sam. 20. 12. And thus prayes Solomon for himself â—nd for his people 1 King 8. 57. The Lord our God be with us let him not leave us nor forsake us that we may encline our â—earts unto him to walk in all his wayes 4. Now for the ground and reasons of this Doctrine why Gods presence is so much to be desired and prayed for 1. Rea. Because God is so excellent and admirable in all Perfections There is nothing wanting in God God is All. How excellent is that name of his Exod. 34. 6. The Lord the Lord God Merciful and Gracious long suffering and aboundant in goodness and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity transgression and sin Again Mic. 7. 18. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by
presence How was Saul distressed for want of Gods presence 1 Sam. 28. 15 16. Wo wo to such from whom God departs Hos. 9. 12. Use 2. Is God with us so great a priviledge and so much to be desired Then examine Is God with us Are we priviledged with his presence To know take these signs of Gods gracious presence First A praying frame of heart is a sign of Gods favourable presence God is a God hearing Prayer Psal. 65. 2. and prepares the heart to pray where ever he is Psal. 10. 17. and pour's out a spirit of prayer Zâ—ch 12. 10. Jerem. 31. 9. which spirit helps our Infirmities and prayes in us Rom. 8. 26. God sets them with whom he is a praying 1. In all places in the closet and family yea and in the field Ruth 2. 4. The Lord be with you said Boaz to his Reapers in the field 2. At all times in the Evening and Morning at Noon and at Midnight Psal. 55. 17. 119. 62. God was with Moses David and Daniel and they pray with Jabez and he prayes 1 Chron. 4. 10. with Ephraim Jerem. 31. 18. and he prayes with Paul and he prayes Act. 9. 11. and when with us we shall pray also Psal. 91. 15. Secondly A penitent frame of heart where God is there is weeping and mourning for sinning against him How werâ— Joseph's guilty brethren troubled at h 〈…〉 presence Gen. 45. 3. So shall guilty wâ— be at the presence of God we shall loâ—k on him whom we have pierced and mouâ—â— Zâ—ch 12. 10. Jâ—r 31. 9 18 19. where you have an instance of a mourning frame of heart when God vouchsafed his presence Thirdly An humble frame of heart God dwells with such and none but such sa 57. 15. Fourthly An obedient frame of heart inclined to God to walk in all his wayes If the Lord our God be with us he will incliâ—e our hearts to keep his Testimonies 1 Kings 8. 57 58. Where he comes he puts his spiriâ— into them and causeth them to walk in his Statutes Ezek. 36. 27. See Joh. 8. 29. Fifthly Strength in the Soul Psal. 138. 3. whom God is with he strengthens Isa. 41. 10. both to do and suffer to do business and bear burdens Psalm 55. 22. Sixthly Warm affections heat and life in the service of God whilst Christ was with and talked with his Disciples their hearts burned within them Luke 24. 32. Seventhly A spirit stirred up to promote the worship and service of God I am with you saith the Lord Hag. 1. 13. And the Lord stirred up their spirits and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts their God v. 14. Eighthly Preservation from evil from the evil of sin especially Oh that thou wouldst be with me and keep me from evil was the request of Jabez 1 Chrâ— 4. 10. where God is he delivers from every evil work 1 Tim. 4. 18. Ninthly Victory over enemies Surely I will be with thee saith God to Gideon Judg. 6. 16. and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man If God be with us enemies will be subdued 1 Chron. 22. 18. world fâ—esh and Devil too will be subdued Through the spirit the deeds of the flesh will be mortifâ—â—d Rom. 8. 13. Tenthly Profiting by afflictions Hâ—b 12. 10. Eleventhly Fruitfulness under means of grace If the spirit come and blow upon our garden the spices thereof will flow out Cant. 4. 16. If Christ be in us and abide in us we shall bring forth much fruit Joh. 15. 5. Twelfthly Fixedness unmoveableness from God and his truth God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved Psal. 46. 5. Because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved Psal. 16. 8. Because he is with us the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against us Christ our Sampson as one sayes hath flung them off their Hinges We shall not be greatly moved Psal. 62. 2. Use 3. Of Exhortation Sirs get God to be with you Gods gracious Presence is the principal thing therefore with all thy getting get it Gold in the purse or coffer will not stead or avail you like God with you God answers more then money Wealth when gotten moth and rust may corrupt it Thieves may break through and steal it But God is out of the reach of all there is no fear or danger of loosing him when once you have gotten him He therefore is worth the getting Some have found by experience that such and such things have not been worth their getting not worth their sitting up late and rising betimes for them not worth their running and riding and venturing for them How earnest have some been to be possessed of and to enjoy such and such persons and things and having obtained them have they not found them by wofui experience not worth the cost and pains laid out for them But God will over and above make amends for what is laid out for him A shadow is not worth the following but substance is Chaff is not worth heaping up but Corn is Dross is not worth the seeking but Gold is and God much more then Gold And farther you may seek the Creature and never be able to get it You may seek and not find You may wish O that I had wealth and yet never have it and O that I had credit and repute in the World and possibly never have it But who ever sought God and found him not who ever sought the presence of God and was denied it shall any Soul ever have cause to say Lord I did desire thy presence but could not have it I did chuse to have thee with me rather then to have all the World with me and yet I could not have thee with me Do you think there will ever be cause for such a Reflection upon God the God of love shall it ever be said this poor Soul would have had the presence of God but God would not afford it O no! shall any person be ever able to say I would have had God to be my God and to be with me as a Father Friend and Husband but he would not or shall ever any person be able to say I would have had Jesus Christ to be with me as a Prophet Priest and King but he would not I would have had him to be my mediator Advocate Surety and Saviour but he would not I would have had his righteousness imputed to me and his Spirit imparted to me but could not have it or shall any person be ever able to say I would have had the holy Spirit to be with me to convince me of my sin and misery to enlighten me in the knowledge of Christ and to renew my will and to perswade and enable me to imbrace Christ Jesus freely offered to me but he would not be with me to do any of those things for me no for then how should God be the faithful God as he is stiled Deut. 7. 9.
The Lord will answer I am as thou art in this matter and I will be with thee in this war and if he be with us he will go forth as a mighty man he will stir up jealousie like a man of war he will cry yea roar he will prevail against his enemies Isa. 42. 13. And as ready as the people were to be with Ezra in the Reformation Arise say they to him be of good courage and do it Ezr. 10. 4. we also will be with thee So saith God to you Arise Resist the Devil 1 Peâ— 5. 9. Sâ—rive against sin Heb. 12. 4. Be of good courage and do it I also will be with you This readiness of God to be with you methinks should strongly perswade you to desire and endeavour his presence Motive 3. Lovers and friends may be far off My lovers and my friends stand â—â—oof off from my sore and my kinsmen stand a far off Psal. 38. 11. I looked on my right hand and behold there was no man that would know me Refuge failed me no man cared for my soul Psal. 142. 4. No man stood with me but all men forsook me said Paul 2 Tim. 4. 16. Now sirs when all shall forsake you if you shall not be able to say with Paul the Lord stands by me what will you do So when Refuge shall fail you if you shall not be able to say with David The Lord is my Refuge Psal. 142. 5. what will you do Motive 4. In the absence or want of some Creatures you comfort your selves with the presence of others You comfort your selves with the presence of friends and relations in the want of other things and you say though this be gone and that be gone though this be lost and that be lost and taken away yet my Husband is with me or my Father is with me or my Brother and Sister are with me Thus you comfort your selves in the want of some things with the presence of some other How much more will it be a comfort to be able to say Though this and that be wanting yet God is with me Though Father and Mother be not with me yet God is with me Though Brother and Sister be gone from me yet God is with me This this will be the comfort Motive 5. Nothing will be done acceptably without this gracious presence of God Joh. 15. 5. No duty or service that you can perform Motive 6. Nothing will succeed and prosper well without it neither Temporals nor Spirituals but all prospers with it 1. Temporals see an instance in Potiphars Possessions what he had in his house in his field all prospered upon the account of God's presence with Joseph Gen. 39. 2 3 5. Another instance you have in Labans goods Gods promise to be with Jacob see Gen. 28. 15. I am with thee I will not leave thee Now Laban sayes Gen. 30. 27. I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake God with us makes all to prosper Deut. 2. 7. The Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hands these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee thou hast lacked nothing Go do all that is in thy heart said Nathan to David 2 Sam. 7. 3. For the Lord is with thee q. d. Go and prosper for the Lord is with thee Motive 7. God with us will make men afraid of us and willing to comply and be at peace with us We read 1 Sam. 18. 12. that Saul was affraid of David because the Lord was with him Abimilech Ahuzza and Phicol come to Isaac and desire to make a league agreement and covenant with him and they render this as the Reason We saw certainly that the Lord was with thee 1 Sam. 26. 28. See also Isa. 45. 14. Motive 8. God with us makes enemies and opposers to fall before us Josh. 1. 5. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee I will be with thee Motive 9. God with us makes others to fall to us When Israel saw that God was with Asa they fell to him in great abundance 2 Chron. 15. 9. Quest. But what is to be done that we may have God to be with us What direction can you give us Answ. Take these 1. Pray the Lord earnestly to be with you Pray as Solomon 1 King 8. 57. The Lord our God be with us let him not leave us nor forsake us and as Jeremiah in the name of the Church Jer. 14. 9. We are called by thy name leave us not And as the Apostle in the Text The Lord be with you So do you pray for your selves The Lord be with me When you go about any Natural Civil or Religious action say The Lord be with me When you go to your Table there 's a snare and when to the Shop there 's a snare and when to your Beds there 's a snare therefore whensoever you go to your Table Shop or Bed pray The Lord be with me There are snares every where and therefore every where you have need to pray The Lord be with me Desire Gods presence and you shall not be denied it Name the Person if you can that ever was denied Gods presence if he prayed for it 'T is true God may seem to be absent but he is really present with his when seemingly absent He is but behind the curtain on the other side of the wall How near may the Mother be when the Child thinks her lost and falls a crying And all this while the Mother is but in the next room Thus it is between God and his People Christ withdraws from his Spouse yet is really present for by vertue of his presence she seeks after him till she has found him if he had not been present she could not have sought him for if he draw not there is no running after him Draw me and we will run after thee Cant. 1. 4. Pray then for the presence of God let God see that you will not be satisfied without him How unsatisfied are some without Persons and Things They must enjoy such a Person such a Thing or they cannot be satisfied They cannot live they shall dye without them Let God see that you cannot live without his presence If you long for it you shall not long be without it 2. Hearken to the voice of them that give you Counsel for your real good Hearken unto my voice said Jethro to Moses Exod. 18. 19. I will give thee Counsel and God shall be with thee Be instructed sayes God Jer. 6. 8. Least my Soul depart from thee 3. Be with God If you be with him he will not fail to draw nigh to you Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you Jam. 4. 8. The Lord is with you whilst you are with him 2 Chron. 15. 2. Be much with God then Be with him in your thoughts let your hearts and affections be with him When you awake be still with him
Psal. 139. 18. When you arise be with him when you go to duty be with him and draw night to him with your hearts as well as your lips When you go about your work and business be with him when you go forth and when you return be still with him Be with the Lord continually set him at your right hand and fear not you shall then find him with you holding your right hand Psal. 73. 23. Nevertheless I am continually with thee thou hast holden me by my right hand When you eat do not eat without thoughts of God that feeds you when you put on your Cloathes be not without thoughts of God that Cloatheth you when you are in company and when you are alone still be with him This is the way to have God be with you Be much with God You know 't is no difficult thing to be with those that are a thousand miles from us Cannot the Wife be with her Husband in her affections and desires though he be beyond the Sea and cannot the Father be with the Child that is many miles distant from him And why cannot we be thus with God Be with God also in his Ordinances and appointments In them he will meet you and speak unto you Exod. 29. 42. 30. 36. There you shall find him Prov. 8. 34 35. Watch dayly therefore at his Gates Wait at the Posts of the Dores Whilst you are with him he will be with you Whilst you carry your selves as in his presence fearing serving and honouring him he will be with you VVell then be with God 1. VVake with him Psal. 139. 8. 2. VValk with him as Enoch and Noah did 3. VVork with him 'T is said that Jonathan wrought with God 1 Sam. 14. 45. And Ministers are workers together with God 2 Cor. 6. 1. And all of us must work with him Work out your salvation with fear c. for it is God that worketh in you to will and to do Philip. 2. 12 13. He worketh all our works in us Isa. 26. 12. Sit not still therefore when he works 4 VVar with God the Lamb wars Rev. 17. 14. And they that are called and chosen and faithful they war with him they side with him and take his part He that is not with me is against me saith Christ Mat. 12. 30. VVith these God will side and will take part with them Psal. 118. 6 7. Direct 4. Love God and keep his Commandments and then I can promise you his presence Sirs would you have his company whom you have no love for would you have him whom you do not love to come unto you Love him and he will come else he will be at a distance from you and shew your love to him by keeping his Commandments then he will come and make his abode with you Joh. 14. 23. If a man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come and make our abode with him VVhat a promise did God make to Jeroboam by Abijah the Prophet 1 King 11 38. If thou wilt hearken to all that I command thee and wilt walk in my wayes and do that which is right in my sight I will be with thee He that feareth God and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him Act. 10. 35 Such God will meet in grace and mercy Isa. 64. 5. Jacob went on his way the way that God had commanded him and the Angels of God met him Gen. 32. 1. Direct 5. If you would have God to be with you keep your selves Clean Do not defile and pollute your selves with sin which is the greatest filthiness It is sin that sets God at a distance from you 'T is your iniquities that separate between you and your God Isa. 59. 2. Stand in awe therefore and sin not Psal. 4. 4. A Law was given of Old to Gods people that when ever they did ease themselves abroad they should turn about and with a Paddle cover that which came from them that no filthiness might be seen among them Deut. 23. 13 The Reason is given v. 14. For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of the Camp therefore shall thy Camp be holy that he see no unclean thing in thee and turn away from thee This outward cleanness here required was to teach them their duty to God and their Neighbour Chiefly to God that in regard of his presence among them they ought to keep themselves clean from all spiritual pollutions Next to their Neighbour that they ought to do nothing that might offend or annoy him Sirs God is of purer eyes then to behold evil and cannot look upon iniquity without detestation Habak 1. 13. You your selves turn away from filthy Creatures and will not God much more turn away from filthy sinners When God sees filthy Pride and filthy Lucre filthy Ryoting and filthy Drunkenness filthy Chambering and filthy Wantonness filthy Strife and filthy Envying these works of Darkness Rom. 13. 12 13. God he turns away For what communion hath light with darkness 2 Cor. 6. 14. God will not be with us unless we destroy sin that accursed thing See Josh. 7. 11 12. The throne of iniquity shall have no fellowship with him Psal. 94. 20. Let not sin be with you if you would have God to be with you keep a strict watch against sin And when at any time you do sin for there is no man that sinneth not turn back and cover it that God may not behold it set faith and repentance a work immediately and cover thy sin with the righteousness of Christ and the waters of godly sorrow Let faith in Jesus Christ and repentance towards God be thy paddle to cover that filthiness of sin which comes from thee so shall you have the presence of God with you Direct 6. Please God That 's the way to have God with you He that hath sent me is with me saith our Saviour The Father hath not left me alone for I do alwayes those things that please him John 8. 29. I do the works of him that sent me John 9. 4. I am ever about my Fathers business Luke 2. 49. and therefore the Father hath not left me alone Nor will he leave us alone but will be nigh unto us in all that we call upon him for if we do those things that are pleasing in his sight 1 John 3. 22. Quest. How shall we do to please God Answ. Get out of the flesh for we are in it Rom. 7. 5. as a man in the water covered over head and ears with it or as a man in bonds Act. 8. 23. and snares 2 Tim. 2. 26. fast bound and hamperd in them Now they that are in the flesh cannot please God Rom. 8. 8. They that are in their natural estate still remaining such as they were by Adams fall and such as they were born into the World without any change of Nature Heart or Life cannot please God If the Powers of their Souls
preserve your own and your neighbours chastity in heart speech and behaviour This prayer for you is not without need too much unchaste behaviour is to be seen in our Congregations I cannot think that the exposing of your naked backs and breasts to the view of all can consist with chastity of heart I wish that some or other would do that office for you that Shem and Japheth did for their father Gen. 9. 23. and cast at least a Scarf or Handkerchief over your naked necks backs and breasts The Lord be with you aged women that you may be such as you are required to be Tit. 2. 3. That you may be in behaviour as becometh holiness not false accusers not given to much wine Teachers of good things The Lord be with you widowes to cause you to trust in God as 't is your duty Jer. 49. 11. and continue in prayer and supplications night and day 1 Tim. 5. 5. The Lord be with you Parents That you may bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Ephes. 6. 4. and that you may not provoke them to anger lest they be discouraged Col. 3. 21. The Lord be with you Children that you may obey your Parents in the Lord and honour them that it may be well with you and that you may live long in the earth Ephes. 6. 1 2 3. The Lord be with you Masters that you may give unto your Servants that which is just and equal Col. 4. 1. and forbear threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of persons with him Ephes. 6. 9. The Lord be with you Servants that you may be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of heart as unto Christ not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart Ephes. 6. 5 6. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the Inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ Col. 3. 24. Yea the Lord be with you that you may be subject not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward for this is thank-worthy if for conscience towards God you endure grief suffering wrong fully and acceptable with God if when you do well and suffer for it you take it patiently 1 Pet. 2. 18 19 20. The Lord be with you Husbands that you may love your wives and not be bitter against them Col. 3. 19. And that you may dwell with them according to knowledge giving honour unto them as unto the weaker vessels and as being heirs together of the grace of life that your prayers be not hindred 1 Pet. 3. 7. The Lord be with you wives that you may be in subjection to your own husbands that if any obey not the word they may be won by your conversation while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear and that your adornin̄g may not be with outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of Gold or of putting on of apparel but that it may be the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which in the sight of God is of great price 1 Pet. 3. 1 2 3 4. The Lord be with you poor and my request for you is double 1. That you may be poor in spirit and so blessed that yours may be the kingdom of heaven Mat. 5. 3. 2. That you may be rich in faith Jam. 2. 5. by which God has promised the just shall live Hab. 2. 4. The Lord be with you Rich that you may not be high-minded nor trust in uncertain Riches but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy 1 Tim. 6. 17. The Lord be with you that you may do good that you may be rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate that you may lay up in store for your selves a good foundation against the time to come that you may lay hold on eternal life 1 Tim. 6. 18 19. The Lord be with you young Disciples that having put your hands to the plough you may not look back lest you prove not fit for the kingdom of God Luk. 9. 92. The Lord be with you old Disciples that you may bring forth much good fruit and be fat and flourishing Psal. 62. 14. The Lord be with you All to deal well with you To hear your Prayers To direct your steps To give you rest To provide you necessaries To protect your persons To prevent trouble or to deliver out of it To assist in work To support under burdens To disappoint enemies To Animate against fear To comfort in tribulation To correct if need be To encline your hearts to God To give you wisdom To help you to finish your works and to effect difficult undertakings To hold you by your right hand To put a difference between you and toose that serve him not The Lord be with you All 1. With All of All of you 1. With your Hearts 1. To circumcise them Deut. 30. 6. 2. To write his Law in them Heb. 8. 10. 3. To new make them Ezek. 36. 26. 4. To soften them Ezek. 36. 26. 5. To strengthen them Psal. 31. 24. acchrding to his promise 6. To unite them Psal. 86. 11. 7. To enlarge them Psal. 119. 32. 8. To encline them to him and his Testimonies 1 King 8. 58. Psal. 119. 36. 9. To create them clean Psal. 51. 10. 10. To put gladness into them Psal. 4 〈…〉 2. With your heads 1. To lift them up Psal. 3. 3. 2. To make them waters Jer. 9. 1. 3. With your eyes 1. To open them that you may behold wonderous things out of Gods Law Psal. 119. 18. 2. To turn them away from beholding vanity Psal. 119. 37. 4. With your ears 1. To open them Psal. 40. 6. 2. To cause them to hear the word behind them Isa. 30. 21. 5. With your mouthes 1. To satisfie them with good things Psal. 103. 5. 2. That a deceitful tongue may not be found in them Zeph. 3. 13. 6. With your hands To hold them Isa. 41. 13. 42. 6. 7. With your feet To keep them 1 Sam. 1. 9. 1. The Lord be with you All 2. At all times 1. In the Morning when you awake that you may awake with God Psal. 139. 18. Psal. 55. 17. 2. At noon when you go to meat Psal. 55. 17. 3. At evening when you go to bed Psal. 55. 17. This was Davids practice Evening and Morning and at Noon will I pray and cry aloud and not in vain for it followes and he shall hear my voice 4. The Lord be with you even at midnight and in the night watches that even then you may meditate on Gods word and give thanks after the example of David Psal. 119. 62. 63. 6. 119. 148. 5. On the week dayes that you may do your work and all